Housing projects reshape Samawah as investment permits pass 50

MUTHANNA — The Muthanna Investment Commission has issued more than 50 permits for housing complexes since 2010, a move aimed at closing a housing gap of 25,000 units, according to the commission’s head, Adel al-Yasiri.

“Back in 2010 there was a gap of around 25,000 housing units,” al-Yasiri told 964media. “With demand rising annually by between 10% and 13% due to family divisions and the decline of old houses, the commission began launching investment projects. So far, we have granted permits for more than 50 projects in this sector, with varying completion rates, and the number of completed housing units has approached 20,000.”

Al-Yasiri said some projects faced infrastructure issues but were resolved through cooperation between local government and investors. He noted that prices in the governorate “do not exceed 1 million dinars per square meter,” with the commission working to keep costs stable. He added that coordination with the Ministry of Planning and the Development Planning Directorate is ongoing to track the remaining housing gap.

“Currently, the al-Ghadeer City project is under construction, providing 40,000 housing units, along with other complexes such as al-Jawhara and another near the Directorate of Agriculture, which includes apartment housing,” al-Yasiri said. He explained that most projects follow the horizontal housing style due to the tribal and conservative nature of the city, with only two vertical housing projects licensed.

He also said the commission sought to meet the “taste and preferences of Samawah residents for horizontal housing” and pointed out that Iraqi-made fired brick, known for its strength and insulation, dominates construction over block material in some projects. Land has been provided to investors at “almost free” prices, helping stabilize real estate costs, expand the city, and create thousands of jobs for locals.

Residents see progress but remain cautious about affordability. “The housing complexes in Muthanna have contributed to providing homes for low-income families, but prices still need to be reduced so that citizens can obtain decent housing,” Ahmed Hassan, a local resident, told 964media. “Some complexes offer good services, while others lack basic infrastructure. Prices vary depending on investment terms, with some requiring large down payments and others smaller ones, along with monthly installments paid to investors in the governorate.”